The national body of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for his sportsmanship and style of re-branding the state through sports.
SWAN President, Abubakar Seidu, also commended the governor for accepting to host the Olympics qualifier between the national U-23 team and its Congo counterpart, and for redeeming the pledge he made to the Dream Team after the match.
Seidu also commended the governor for offsetting eight months arrears owed Sharks FC and Dolphin Football Club players. “There are state governors and there are state governors. We have gone round the states; we know the ability of the governors and we have seen your commitment,” he said.
While pleading with the governor to fulfil the pledge made by the immediate past administration to the association, Seidu enjoined Wike not to relent in giving sports special attention in his administration.
Wike provided the tonic last Sunday for the eventual success of the Dream Team in the match with the Congolese visitors by throwing the gate open for every spectator. That was the first international match at the Ultra-modern Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium.
While playing host to the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN at Government House in Port Harcourt before the match, he disclosed that his administration was poised to revamp the image of the state in all spheres.
He emphasised that the hosting of the Olympics qualifier was a way of exposing the state’s numerous tourism and sports potentials to the world.
For him, the hosting of the international match is a testimony that the state is peaceful, noting that it is also its own contribution to sports development in the country.
He said: “Here, everybody is safe. All over the world, you cannot guarantee 100 per cent security.”
Promising to fulfil all the promises he announced to SWAN, he donated an 18-seater bus to the sports body.
Governor Wike commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for giving the state the opportunity to host the football match, and declared its readiness to host more sports events in the future.